Merchandise case



7 Sheets-Sheet l 64 In! J! C. J. SCHMITZ ET AL MERCHANDISE CASE FIE-l 1Sept. 14, 1954 Filed March 30, 1950 Sept- 14, 19 4 c. J. SCHMITZ ET ALMERCHANDISE CASE 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 30. 1950 FIE-E Sept. 14,1954 c. J. SCHMITZ ET AL MERCHANDISE CASE 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March30, 1950 mvw ww w 7% I 4 2 g a? f 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 P 14, 1954 c. J.SCHMITZ ETAL MERCHANDISE CASE Filed March so, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 & W24 ix. 1 NM [I d m m N 3% \.Q w Z4 X mimi CZv J. SCHMITZ ETAL MERCHANDISECASE Sept. 14, 1954 Filed March 30, 1950 Sept. 14, 1954 c. J. SCHMITZETAL MERCHANDISE CASE 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed March 30, 1950 Q w p 0 r- 7ref 0 0 e E M Mg .v 7 W 7 7 7 as i E gaf F 9 W MMM M w W 5% Z H I IHI 1l 7/ 3 in 4 m m M 7 n u y F m m J m m m H M fl W m 7 W m Q n M C E w m Mw F 1 m m 1 Q Patented Sept. 14, 1954 H'E'ED STATES FATENT QFFICEMERCHANDISE CASE Application March 30, 1950, Serial No. 152,804

3 Claims. 1

The invention relates to a merchandise case for displaying or storingmerchandise.

One object of the invention is to provide a basic frame or shell unitwhich is and remains as a standard construction but is adapted toreceive various arrangements or combinations of shelving, drawers,cabinets, hanger bars, and the like, so as to be readily adaptable tofit various merchandising requirements.

Another object is to provide a basic unit which is self-supporting andrequires no attachment to building walls or other stationary supports,or no anchoring to the floor by brackets or other means.

Another object is to provide a basic shell unit having a base, ceiling,end and rear walls and concealed structural units supporting the ceilingin a manner obviating the necessity of vertical supports in the frontwall of the case, thereby leaving the same completely open andunobstructed and devoid of the usual strips or supports giving thevisual effect of dividing the case into sections.

Still another object is to provide a basic shell unit which may beassembled in end to end relationship to give any desired length ofmerchandise case which is a multiple of the length of the basic unit,and in which the end walls of adjoining units may be eliminated toprovide a continuous case undivided by partitions, supporting strips orposts of any character.

A further object is to provide a basic unit of so-called knock-downconstruction which may be assembled in the field with a minimum ofmechanical fastening means.

Another object is to provide a basic case unit of standard parts so asto be capable of economical manufacture, of being shipped knockeddown toreduce transportation charges, of being readily and quickly assembled atthe point of use, and of being employed as single units or multipleunits.

Other objects, advantages and features of this invention will beapparent from the description taken in connection with an embodimentthereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings in Which:

Fig. l is a front elevation of a merchandise case showing one basic caseunit;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken substantially along line 2-2 in Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical view of an end panel;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken through the case substantiallyalong line 44 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 taken substantially along line 5-5 inFig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken substantially along line 63 in Fig.2;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged horizontal view of a portion of the base frameillustrated in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged broken section taken substantially along line 88in Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a horizontal plan showing the bottom platform;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged plan of the rear portion of the bottomplatform as shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a broken section taken substantially along line ll--I| inFig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a section taken substantially along line l2l2 in Fig. 9;

Fig. 13 is a horizontal view taken substantially along line l3l3 in Fig.2;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the rear portion of the casetop illustrated in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a broken section taken substantially along line l5l5 in Fig.13;

Fig. 16 is a section taken substantially along line I6l6 in Fig. 13;

Fig. 17 is a vertical view of a back panel from the front side;

Fig. 18 is a vertical section taken substantially along line 18-48 inFig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a horizontal section taken substantially along line |9-l9 inFig. 17.

While we have herein illustrated and shall describe a preferredembodiment of this invention, the invention is not limited to theparticular form shown, it being understood that modifications andchanges may be made by those skilled in the art without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as set out in the accompanyingclaims.

The invention comprises broadly a basic merchandise case frame or shellLmit structurally complete on its own base for receiving any desiredinterior arrangement of shelves, drawers, cabinets and the like. Thisbasic unit may be installed in any store without attaching the same tothe building and may be employed singly or in multiples in end to endrelationship to provide cases of different lengths. Generally, the basicunit consists of a plurality of standard prefabricated parts adapted tobe assembled in the store in which the merchandise case is to be used.These parts include a base frame, end closing panels, a bottom floor orplatform, an upper case panel or ceiling, back panels and, mostimportant of all, structural members forming the backbone of the unit.These structural members are herein so designed as to support the upperor ceiling panel without the aid of end panels or, more particularlystill, supports in the front wall of the case, thus permitting acontinuously open, unobstructed front Wall. When the parts areassembled, a rigid case structure, open only on the front, is ready toreceive and support interior fittings of the proprietors choice. Theparts of the invention will be described generally in the order in whichthey are assembled to form the basic unit structure.

The base frame (as best seen in Figs. 6 to 8) generally comprises afront member 20, a rear member 2|, end members 22 and a center member 23parallel to the end members 22. Each end member has an upwardly andoutwardly opening recess 24a of a depth twice its Width so that when twobase frames are abutted end to end (see Figs. 7 and 8) these result in asquare channel 24. Center member 23 is in fact composed of two endmembers 22 placed recess to recess so that it has formed in it a channel24. The rear portion of each channel is enlarged as illustrated at 25and 26 in Fig. 7 to facilitate reception of a cooperating element aswill be more fully described hereinafter. The base frame is adapted tosit on the floor of a store building, or the like, and to support theWeight of the entire merchandise case.

The structural backbone of this merchandise case is a plurality ofelements 3!! (Fig.2) which rest on and extend upwardly from the baseframe to support the major portion of the other case parts. The elementsprovide a strong structure, in turn providing a case of any desiredlength in multiples of the basic unit, without a single upright in thefront plane of the case. These structural elements 30 are metallicframes. We here show the elements 30 as having a C shape with the lowerportion 3| positioned in a channel 23, an upwardly extending portion 33connected at a right angle to the portion 3| and an upper portion 32substantially parallel to the lower portion 3|. The portions 3|, 32 and33 of each frame have their axes in a single plane and while manystructural shapes may be employed, we prefer a hollow member having asubstantially square transverse cross-section. The square, hollow frameis preferable in that it resists bending stress in the plane of theframe and also twisting stresses which may be applied laterally to theplane of the frame. Also, the straight sides of the frame permit goodcontact between the wood parts of the case and the frame. We also preferto employ straight portions, such as 3|, 32, 33, cut on a angle andwelded along the resulting seams 34, the weld between the lower portion3| and portion 33 fitting into the enlarged portions 25 and 26 in thebase frame. The channels 24 and the lower portions 3! of the C-framesare so proportioned that the latter are received snugly in the channels24 with the top surfaces of the portions 3| flush with the top of thecenter and end members of the base frame.

After a base frame or the desired number of base frames have been placedtogether in position in a store or the like and the metallic 0- framesplaced in the channels 24, end panels 4!! are placed in proper position.Each end panel has a bottom member 44 having a recess in its upperportion corresponding to the recess 24a in the end members 22 of thebase frame.

The placing of an end panel adjacent the base frame results in acomplete channel 24 for receiving the lower portion 3| of the endc-frame. A mechanical fastening means, such as screws, are used tosecure the end panel to the base frame and the end C-frame. The endpanel may be finished (Figs. 4 and 5) with a center panel 4| flush withframe edge members 42 and 43 either on the outside or inside, of thecase or on both sides, depending upon the exposure of the end panel toView. A flush panel is desired where the end panel may be seen to add tothe case appearance. The front edges 45 of the end panels are the onlystructure lines in the otherwise unobstructed front plane of the case.

A bottom platform (see Figs. 9-12) performs the triple purpose ofstrengthening and bracing the base frame, providing a floor for themerchandise case and retaining and concealing the lower portion 3| ofthe c-frame in the channel 24. A single fiat piece of wood material ofsufficient size to cover one base frame unit is employed having an outerconfiguration adapted to fit adjacent the other portions of the case tocompletely enclose the base frame. In this regard, one end of the bottomplatform may abut an end panel 40 previously described, while the otherend 56 may abut an adjoining bottom platform over an adjoining baseframe, Cut-out portions 52 and 59 (see Fig. 10) are adapted to fit aboutthe upwardly extending portions 33 of the C-frames. A plurality ofstay-blocks 5| are secured to the underside of the platform and are sopositioned and arranged to fit snugly in the corners of the base frame.These blocks 5| and the bottom platform serve as a brace memberpreventing any twisting of the members of the base frame from theirproper alignment. The platform merely rests upon the upper surface ofthe members of the base frame and over the upper surface of the lowermember 3| of the C-frames. No fastening means are required as the blocks5| fit rather snugly in the corners of the base frame and the C-framesbear downwardly in the channels 24 in which they repose. A longitudinalgroove 53 is provided in the upper surface of the platform 50,positioned adjacent the upwardly extending portions 33 of the C-frames.This groove is provided for the reception of the lower edge of the backpanels as hereinafter described. A decorative moulding strip 54 issecured to the front edge of the platform, adding perceptively to itsappearance.

A case top panel 60 (Figs. 13-16) corresponding approximately in size tothe bottom platform 50 is next secured to the underside of the upperportions 32 of the C-frames. This top panel is also of one piece woodmaterial provided with notches such as 62 and 63 to fit around theupwardly extending portions of the C-frames. The panel may be secured tothe C-frames by metal screws 5| and when so secured, act as a bracemember between the upper portions of the 0- frames preventing anytwisting thereof. The 0- frames are preferably drilled and tapped beforethey are taken to the site of construction so that the screws 6| may beinserted in the field without a field tapping and drilling. As statedabove, the panel is of sufficient size to enclose the entire uppersurface of the case and in this regard one end 61 of the panel may abutan end panel 40 and the other end 68 may be flush with the adjoiningcase top panel. A longitudinal groove 65 is provided in the lowersurface of the top panel to receive the upper edge of the back panels ashereinafter more fully described. A decorative moulding strip 64 isattached to the case top panel before bringing it to the site andextends sufficiently above the top panel to enclose the ends of theG-frames and may also serve to support an upper trackway 95 (see Fig. 2)for glass closure doors at or the like.

The of the case parts described above presents a complete case exceptfor the back panels. As previously described, the C-frames have a lowerportion received in channels in the base frame which tends to hold theC-frames vertical. The case top panel braces the C-frames againstrelative twisting movement and the bottom platform cooperates to holdthe base frame from distortion. The back panels complete the casestructure and provide a means for bracing the upwardly extendingportions of the C- frames, holding them in their proper position. Eachback panel it is of sufficient size (Figs. 2, 1749) to extend betweentwo adjacent C-frames and between the bottom platform and case toppanel. The panel m ordinarily is made of a thin plywood or other woodcomposition board reinforced by a single horizontal strip ii. The panelis qui limber and may be bowed suificiently to allow the lower edge '72to be inserted in the horizontal groove 53 in the bottom platform andthe upper edge l3 inserted in the horizontal groove 55 in the case toppanel. After the edges are in the grooves, the panel Till is thenreturned to its natural flat shape bringing hearing blocks lea, b, c andd in abutting relationship with the sides of the upwardly extendingportions 33 of the Q-trames. bearing clocks ltd and Mid hold the(Z-frame against which they abut in vertically aligned position with thecooperation of like bearing blocks on the adjacent back panel. The backpanels thus serve to brace the C-frames against any movementlongitudinally of the case or twisting relative to each other. Agenerally T-shaped metallic retaining strip 83 (see Fig. 4) is securedby bolts, metal screws or the like to the portions of the o-frames tosecure the back panels flat agains the C-frames. The retaining strips 80may serve the dual purpose of providing adjusta- .-lo support means forshelving, later to be inserted in the case. Any small crack between ad-3 cent back panels is thus hidden and a long c. W may appear to have aone piece back panel.

When the portions of the merchandise case are assembled, a complete unitis ready to receive an interior arrangement of units dictated by theproprietors needs. The merchandise case presents a completely enclosedarea opened on the front with the front plane of the case unobstructedby any vertical structural members. The parts of the case are sointerfitted, as previously described, to completely brace the caseagainst any twisting or sagging of any individual part. The interiorarrangement of the case is entirely independent of the basic structuralunit and wil be fitted to the individual requirements oi the particularproprietor. In Fig. 1, one arrangement is shown having sliding glassdoors 9% on the upper portion of the case and sliding wood doors ti onthe lower portion. It is to be observed that if several basic case unitsbe placed end to end with the interior arrangement shown in Fig. l, acontinuous succession of glass doors 9!! and wood doors 9! would bepresented to view along the entire case structure. In Fig. 2, it will benoticed that enclosed shelving 92 may comprise a separate unit merelyset into the basic Vertically aligned case structure to rest on thebottom platform 50. The glass doors 99 on the upper portion are in turnsupported by the bottom enclosed shelves 92. The interior structure ofthe case may be fastened to the basic case structure or merely set inposition as desired. The basic unit is adapted to be placed adjacent awall W as illustrated in Figs. 2, 4- and 5 or may be placed away from aWall in the discretion of the individual proprietor.

From the foregoing, we believe it is apparent that we have invented anew and useful merchandisc case having a plurality of cooperating parts.vhich may be easily installed and adapted to the users needs withoutsecuring the case to any part of the building in which the proprietorconducts business.

We claim:

1. A prefabricated merchandise case unit, comprising a substantiallyrectangular base frame having parallel end and center members, saidcenter member having a longitudinal channel in its upper portion andsaid end members each having a longitudinal recess opening upwardly andoutwardly of the base frame, a metallic C- irame extending upwardlyabove each end and center member of the base frame, said C-frames eachhaving a lower portion positioned respectively in said channel andrecesses, an upper portion parallel to the lower portion and aconnecting portion extending between the upper and lower portions overthe rear of the base frame, each portion of said 'C-frame being hollowand having a substantially square transverse crosssection, an end panelenclosing each end of the case and providing a recess in its bottomportion to cooperate with the recess in an end member of the base frameto form a channel to receive the lower portion of a C-frame, a bottomplatform resting on said base frame and having a configuration adaptedto enclose the base frame from view, said bottom platform being providedwith a plurality of stay blocks secured to its underside to fit snuglyin the corners of the base frame to brace the members thereof, a casetop panel secured to the underside of the upper portions of saidC-frames to brace the C-frames and to enclose the upper portion of thecase, said bottom platform and case top panel having oppositely facinglongitudinal grooves extending adjacent the connecting portions of theC-frames, back panels each extending between a pair of adjacent C-framesand having upper and lower edges respectively positioned in saidlongitudinal grooves, said back panels being provided with bearingblocks on their back sides adapted to abut the sides of the connectingportions of the C-frames to maintain them vertical and retaining stripseach fastening adjacent back panels to a C-frame.

2. A merchandise case unit, comprising a generally rectangular baseframe having front and rear members, end members and a center memberparallel to the end members, said end and center members each having achannel in its upper portion extending through said rear member, aplurality of generally C-shaped metallic frames supported in thechannels in the end and center members of the base frame and each havingan upper and lower generally horizontal portion and a generally verticalconnecting portion therebetween, said C-frames each having asubstantially square transverse cross-section and the channel in saidend and center members being deep enough to receive the lower horizontalportion of said C-frame therein flush with the top edge of said channel,an end panel attached to said base frame and to a C-frame for enclosingan end of the case, a bottom platform separate from said base frameresting thereon in overlying relation to the lower horizontal portion ofa C-frame mounted in said channels and having notches in its rearwardedge for fitting about the vertical portions of the C-frames, saidbottom platform having a longitudinal groove extending the lengththereof adjacent the vertical portions of said C-frames, a fiat case toppanel secured to the underside of the upper portion of said C-frames andhaving a longitudinal groove positioned above the longitudinal groove insaid bottom platform, back panels having their upper and lower edgesrespectively positioned in said longitudinal grooves, each back panelbeing in contact with and extending between adjacent G-frames, and aplurality of vertically spaced blocks mounted on said back panels toabut the sides of the vertical portions of said C-frames to retain saidframes in vertically aligned position.

3. A merchandise case unit, comprising a generally rectangular baseframe having parallel center and end members, each of said center andend members having a longitudinal channel in its upper portion extendingthrough the rear of the base frame, metallic C-frames each having upperand lower parallel portions and a connecting portion therebetweenmounted on the base frame with its lower portion positioned in one ofsaid channels, said C-frames being parallel and extending upwardly fromthe base frame, the channel in each center and end member being of adepth just equal to the thickness of the lower portion of a C-frame toreceive the same therein flush with the top surface of said center andend members, a bottom platform separate from said base frame restingthereon in overlying relation to the lower portion of any c-frame in thechannels of said base frame and having a longitudinal slot in its uppersurface adjacent the connecting portions of said 0- frames, a case toppanel secured to the underside of said upper portions of the C-framesand having a longitudinal slot in its lower surface parallel to andvertically above said slot in the bottom platform, back panels havingtheir upper and lower edges respectively positioned in said longitudinalgrooves, each back panel extending between a pair of adjacent C-framesand a plurality of vertically spaced blocks mounted on said back panelsfor abutting said connecting portions to maintain said c-frames invertically aligned position over the base frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,178,611 Weiss Apr. 11, 1916 1,411,765 Worthington Apr. 4,1922 1,670,028 Eustis et al May 15, 1928 1,938,450 Eustis Dec. 5, 19332,108,516 Thompson Feb. 15, 1938 2,113,403 Harmon Apr. 5, 1938 2,440,847Charley May 4, 1948 2,520,506 Mankki Aug. 29, 1950 2,571,622 SchmidtOct. 16, 1951 2,580,334 Vanderveld Dec. 25, 1951

